August 2008

Lameness Issue

Hi Dr. Tom,

I pulled the shoes off my mare in March of '06. She is currently 10 years
old. She foaled in May of '06 (from what I understand this was her 3rd foal). In
October of that year she had horrible abscesses in both her front feet. She
healed well and I rode her last winter and spring. She has been laid up over
the summer (I can't handle our AZ summers so I don't ride during those months). Anyway, I was hoping to ride her this weekend but on Wednesday she looked as if
she was favoring her left front foot some. I checked and didn't see anything
(rock, nail, bruising)- I pick her feet out daily. On Thursday she seemed a
little better, but Friday morning she was not wanting to put weight on either
front foot and is standing like a horse with laminitis. This morning I cleaned
out her feet, which was no easy task as she didn't want to put weight on the
opposite foot, and I put her boots on with pad inserts. She still doesn't want
to walk at all. She is turned out 24/7 with my 3 year old gelding. They eat
Bermuda Blend pellets three times daily. They get no grain and there is no
grass growing in their turnout area. They have water and salt free choice. I
supplement the mare over the summer months with One A/C as her first year here
she appeared to suffer with anhidrosis. I supplement year long with Source. I
worm with ivermectin every 3 months and occasionally with Safeguard. They
receive 'barefoot' trims every 4 weeks. I am at a loss. It hasn't escaped my
notice that this bout of lameness is occurring almost exactly a year from the
last. Should I get a veterinarian involved at this point, or wait till the
trimmer sees her for her regular trim?

Sue

Hi
Sue,

I
agree with your idea that she is in a laminitic condition.

You
need to assess everything concerning her management again- diet, environment,
stresses, and you also should have her metabolic and hormonal status checked
(veterinary help in checking blood-work, hormone level, especially cortisol and
insulin). Anhidrosis is also a serious issue depending on where you live. Her
hooves are probably not in very healthy condition since she hasn't been able to
fend off this situation, so something needs to change with her management to get
her tougher. This almost always involves improving environment to allow for
more movement.

Of
course utilize hoof boots and comfort pads and move her as much as she is able. Do your
best to get to the bottom of the issues that might be to blame.